7 records and milestones Rafael Nadal achieved with his French Open win
Rafael Nadal's incredible 2022 season continued as he won his second Grand Slam of the year on Sunday. The King of Clay beat Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in a rather one-sided French Open final to lift the Coupe des Mosquetaires for the 14th time in his career.
Expectations weren't too high for Nadal heading into the French Open, especially after his foot caused him problems during the Italian Open. The Spaniard started the competition strong, beating Jordan Thompson, Corentin Moutet and Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets.
He then survived a scare from Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round before beating his rival Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
Nadal was up against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals and the two were involved in a thrilling contest, before the German suffered a horrific ankle injury that forced him to retire.
The Spaniard then beat Ruud in the first meeting between the two players to clinch his 22nd Grand Slam title.
The 36-year-old attained a number of records and milestones by winning the French Open this year and let us take a detailed look at them.
#1 22 Grand Slam titles
Rafael Nadal's victory at the French Open saw him extend his lead at the top of the Grand Slam leaderboard. The Spaniard clinched his 22nd Major, moving him two clear of his rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Nadal surpassed the two earlier this year when he won the Australian Open by beating Daniil Medvedev in the final. The Spaniard has a cushion now but there is a good chance of Djokovic challenging that tally. Although Federer has not retired, his chances of winning another Grand Slam are pretty slim right now.
#2 14th French Open title
Rafael Nadal's title run at the French Open this year was his 14th in Paris. This is the most number of singles titles won by any man or woman at a single Grand Slam.
Four out of Nadal's 14 crowns at the French Open have come without him dropping a single set. The Spaniard lost three sets in the 2022 edition, two against Felix Auger-Aliassime and one against Novak Djokovic.
This moment never gets old 🏆
All of Nadal's 14 French Open titles through the ages: https://t.co/4OQsB5TNon
#3 Oldest French Open champion in the Open Era
Aged 36 years and two days, Rafael Nadal became the oldest man to win Roland Garros since 1925. He is the oldest man to win the French Open in the Open Era, surpassing fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno, who was 34 years and 10 months old when he won the title in 1972.
The Mallorcan also occupies the third spot, at 34 years and four months, courtesy of his triumph in 2020. He is followed by Novak Djokovic, who was 34 years and a month old when he triumphed on Court Philippe-Chatrier last year.
At fifth spot is Ken Rosewall, who was 33 years and seven months old when he won the competition in 1968.
Oldest #RolandGarros Men's Singles Champions (since 1925)
@RafaelNadal in 2022 at 36 years, 2 days
Andres Gimeno in 1972 at 34 years, 10 months
Rafael Nadal in 2020 at 34 years, 4 months
@DjokerNole in 2021 at 34 years, 1 month
Ken Rosewall in 1968 at 33 years, 7 months
#4 Joint-most Grand Slam titles won after turning 30
Rafael Nadal's 14th French Open crown is the eighth Grand Slam title he has won since turning 30. The Spaniard joins Djokovic as the man with the most Majors at the age of 30 and above.
Roger Federer, Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall have four titles each since turning 30. The Swiss' first title over the age of 30 came at Wimbledon in 2012. He won the tournament once again in 2017 and also triumphed at the Australian Open in 2017 and 2018.
Laver won all four Grand Slams in 1969 while Rosewall won the French Open in 1968, the US Open in 1970 and the Australian Open in 1971 and 1972.
Most #GrandSlam singles titles at 30-older (Open Era)
@DjokerNole 8
@RafaelNadal 8
@rogerfederer 4
@rodlaver 4
Ken Rosewall 4
#5 92 titles
Rafael Nadal's triumph at the French Open marked his 92nd ATP singles title. This is the fourth-most by any man in the Open Era, with only Ivan Lendl (94), Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) having won more titles than the King of Clay.
He has five more titles than Djokovic (87) and has a fair chance of surpassing Lendl's tally of 94 this year. He also stands a chance of surpassing Federer's tally of 103 if injuries don't continue to trouble him.
Most Tour-Level Titles in Open Era (since April 1968)
1 @JimmyConnors 109
2 @RogerFederer 103
3 Ivan Lendl 94
4 @RafaelNadal 92
5 @DjokerNole 87
6 @JohnMcEnroe 77
7 @RodLaver 72
8 Bjorn Borg 66
9T Ilie Nastase 64
9T Pete Sampras 64
#RolandGarros
#6 Second player to win the French Open by beating 4 top-10 players
By beating Casper Ruud in the final, Rafael Nadal got his fourth top-10 scalp in the French Open this year. He previously beat ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round before seeing off World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and World No. 3 Zverev in the semifinals.
Nadal is only the third man to earn four top-10 wins at a Grand Slam. Others who have achieved this feat are Mats Wilander (1982 French Open) and Roger Federer (2017 Australian Open).
14-time #RolandGarros champion @RafaelNadal becomes 3rd man to earn 4 Top-10 wins at a Grand Slam event.
Nadal joins @RogerFederer at 2017 @AustralianOpen and Mats Wilander at 1982 Roland Garros. Spaniard beat No. 9 Auger-Aliassime, No. 1 Djokovic, No. 3 Zverev and No. 8 Ruud.
#7 First time Rafael Nadal has won the first two Grand Slams in a year
By winning the French Open in 2022, Rafael Nadal has now won the first two Grand Slams of the year, having triumphed at the Australian Open in January.
This is the first time in the Spaniard's career that he has won the Australian Open and the French Open in the same year. Nadal won the Asia-Pacific Grand Slam in 2009 but lost to Robin Soderling in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
There have been four instances (2012, 2014, 2017 and 2019) where the King of Clay won the French Open but was the runner-up at the Australian Open.
Nadal is only the fifth man in the Open Era to win the Australian Open and the French Open in the same year, the others being Rod Laver, Mats Wilander, Jim Courier and Novak Djokovic. He is also the sixth man in the Open Era to win the first two Grand Slam titles in a year.
Men to Win First 2 Grand Slam Titles in a Year (Open Era)
2022 @RafaelNadal
2021 @DjokerNole
2016 Novak Djokovic
1992 Jim Courier
1988 Mats Wilander
1980* Bjorn Borg
1979* Bjorn Borg
1978* Bjorn Borg
1969 @RodLaver
* #RolandGarros & @Wimbledon were 1st 2 Grand Slam events of year